Fans of this ex-DSBP-recording artist had to wait quite too long, until Xon, the mastermind behind BOUNDLESS, could decide to return with a new full-length album after his glorious debut "Perpetual", out in 2003. Since the years have gone by, also musically and production-wise there has been some improvements. The compositions of Xon have reached definitely a higher quality. He also provides his voice lesser distorted and with a "real" singing attitude, which sounds to the same time emotional and charismatic. Musically, "Mentis Vici Omnis" is a lighter, but also a drastically developed version to "Perpetual". The arrangements are turning into a more smooth sound outfit, the harsh EBM-like outraging tunes of Xon’s too early gone project SYMBIONT or the energetic pieces of "Perpetual" like "Sordid Trooper" or "Club Trash" seem to be relics of the past. The new BOUNDLESS tracks are concentrating to impress with thick layers, some piano drops, diverse programming kinds and a more or less moderate speed. Seldom, quite seldom Xon’s new compositions are fitting well with some dancefloor movements ("Shadow Reaper" featuring FUNKER VOGT), and if they fit, they are musically more based to provide a refreshing sort of a Techno-/Trance-driven outfit ("Vitals Interrupt"). This all doesn’t mean that this has to be seen as a flaw – it’s rather the opposite, since Xon tries hard to deliver a special album, which drifts a bit away from your usual Electro/Futurepop-listening procedure. Also the invitation to several guest musicians with some prominent names like above mentioned FUNKER VOGT, GASR, ARZT & PFUSCH (what a spooky outro entitled "Crepesculum") or the demanding collaborative track "Seduction" featuring LOST SIGNAL and Frank M. Spinath of SEABOUND helps a lot to fill in diversity, but it also documents the new BOUNDLESS-style. This album is pending between Synth-/Electropop to EBM, but it is musically always tasteful and demanding arranged. Quite well-done with a crystal-clear recording quality, but especially the integration of some global players should help to reach a higher level of attention of the international audience. Let’s finally hope, that we don’t have to wait another 5 years for the next BOUNDLESS-album.

This is the debut release for the new German Electro/Industrial label FlashPop Media, which has produced itself headlines with the announcement to release the new album of the renowned German duo FINAL SELECTION. TONLOS itself is the debut release of the Bochum-based Electro/Industrial-musician Sven Reisner. Sven is also a professional barber and has his own business shop entitled "Herrenstudio". Well, this studio has also been the place of the recording of this album, which draws musically inspirations out of early-80ies Pop/Wave-culture and minimal dark Goth- and EBM-tunes of acts like FAD GADGET, SECOND DECAY, old THE ETERNAL AFFLICT, old DORSETSHIRE, or PSYCHE. Therefore the album-title is wisely chosen, but it has generally to say, that this album lacks a bit of originality. There’s nothing to complain to refer on the above mentioned patterns and in times, where veteran and old-school are reaching ground again, this release may makes sense. On the hand this album misses a bit of a refreshing wind. Lyrics got offered both in German and English, dealing a lot with typical and genre-specific themes like love, hate, death or loss, while the vocals are sounding a bit dull. For nostalgic fans this release may is in some way interesting, but I’m quite sure, that they would never enjoy "Retromantic" more than theresults of their above named heroes. A bit too far away from the nowadays expected line.

Hungary’s high-energy duo of IMPACT PULSE returns with the second full-length album. Since their debut "[Pulse]ing Modules" has been itself an impact to the international Electro/Industrial scene, the expectations on this new album have grown enormously in advance. But Gunhead and Cipree don’t disappoint, "Optimal Contrast" provides once the optimal contrast between straight Futurepop-music and energetic EBM/Electro with nearly FLA-like assaults. The winning point once again for IMPACT PULSE is their ability to program attractive arrangements, which are to the same time demanding but straight oriented. New floorfillers are available with "I Want You", "Till We Die" (Bill Leeb is available on this recording, isn’t he?) or "I See Your Love" (featuring some female co-vocals). But the winning pieces of this internal contest can be named with "New Delight" because of its great layer programming and diverse vocal manipulations and the ripping "The Blinds’ Reaper" (what a FX-manipulated and delayed bass line...). IMPACT PULSE once again matches heavily and still receives a high amount of spins here. They prove that up-to-date sounding Electro/Industrial music doesn’t need to follow long left paths provided by billions of Hellectro troopers – here’s both: identity and diversity. An amazing album!

Born in early 2007 System:Fx is an e.b.m. trio coming from London. Even if they formed recently they aren't newcomers as their keyboardist Steve is active in the scene since late '80s. HIGH:DEFINITION:VIOLENCE is the band's first MCD which present to 90's e.b.m. lovers four original tracks and for remixes of "Turn to rust" reworked by Uberbyte, Autoclav 1.1 (an interesting version which gives to the track a widen arrangement made of orchestral strings, piano and ambient sounds mixed with electronics) , RBN and Moose Hunters. "Virus", "Turn to Rust", "Static" and "Bullets, Bombs, Blood" are good tracks that balance energy, melody and mild distorted vocals. HIGH:DEFINITION:VIOLENCE is a nice E.P. but unfortunately the band didn't try to revive a genre which lately don't offer nothing innovative.

A new full-length album from Brazil’s leading act DEAD JUMP, which is his second release signed to the Hungarian label Advoxya-Records. Alex Ramos globally brings out an album consisting of remix works, new interpretations of some tracks taken originally from his last success-album "Immortal" and some goodies taken from his nearly 8 years old album "Post Mortem", which hasn’t made it over to good old Europe. There hasn’t too much changed stylistically in the music of DEAD JUMP, Alex has become through the past years a big name in the Hellectro/Harsh-EBM camp, who especially seems to get a pattern for several young newcomer acts hailing out of all different countries based in South-America. Especially the 5 tracks taken of the classic "Port Mortem" album are standing out a bit, since they’ve been produced in a time where no one was thinking on Hellectro and the rush following this genre. It has to be mentioned too, that they also stand out, because they offer a rather rebellious and rough attitude, especially tracks like "Joke" or the fabulous Extendet Version of "Post Mortem" could be considered as Brazil’s answer on some LEAETHER STRIP smasher tracks. Nowadays Alex’ recordings are swimming a bit too much with the average mass, but this also belongs on the fact, that this special genre of Electro/Industrial music is filled with a heap of newcomers just around the corner preparing for a debut on a monthly basis. The newer stuff is a bit exchangeable , while the 5 recordings of the "Post Mortem"-era have its originality. Last but not least, 3 additional remix contributions on the newer tracks "Burnout", originally taken from Alex’ last EP "Scare Mix" accomplishing this EP. Participants are this time the Chilean act DIE BRAUT, the Polish one-man act CONTROLLED COLLAPSE and the Greece-based act IAMBIA. The last mentioned wins this internal contest with a hammering result, while CONTROLLED COLLAPSE receives a special price for the highest originality to turn a dancefloor-oriented original into a slow sound Dark Electro tune. For fans of Mr. Alex for sure a must-have item, I would like to see, how Alex continues with new recordings. Good stuff overall, but the newer recordings could need some more inspiration.